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Krüppel S, Khani MH, Karamanlis D, Erol YC, Zapp SJ, Mietsch M, Protti DA, Rozenblit F, Gollisch T. Diversity of Ganglion Cell Responses to Saccade-Like Image Shifts in the Primate Retina. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5319-5339. [PMID: 37339877 PMCID: PMC10359029 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1561-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Saccades are a fundamental part of natural vision. They interrupt fixations of the visual gaze and rapidly shift the image that falls onto the retina. These stimulus dynamics can cause activation or suppression of different retinal ganglion cells, but how they affect the encoding of visual information in different types of ganglion cells is largely unknown. Here, we recorded spiking responses to saccade-like shifts of luminance gratings from ganglion cells in isolated marmoset retinas and investigated how the activity depended on the combination of presaccadic and postsaccadic images. All identified cell types, On and Off parasol and midget cells, as well as a type of Large Off cells, displayed distinct response patterns, including particular sensitivity to either the presaccadic or the postsaccadic image or combinations thereof. In addition, Off parasol and Large Off cells, but not On cells, showed pronounced sensitivity to whether the image changed across the transition. Stimulus sensitivity of On cells could be explained based on their responses to step changes in light intensity, whereas Off cells, in particular, parasol and the Large Off cells, seem to be affected by additional interactions that are not triggered during simple light-intensity flashes. Together, our data show that ganglion cells in the primate retina are sensitive to different combinations of presaccadic and postsaccadic visual stimuli. This contributes to the functional diversity of the output signals of the retina and to asymmetries between On and Off pathways and provides evidence of signal processing beyond what is triggered by isolated steps in light intensity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sudden eye movements (saccades) shift our direction of gaze, bringing new images in focus on our retinas. To study how retinal neurons deal with these rapid image transitions, we recorded spiking activity from ganglion cells, the output neurons of the retina, in isolated retinas of marmoset monkeys while shifting a projected image in a saccade-like fashion across the retina. We found that the cells do not just respond to the newly fixated image, but that different types of ganglion cells display different sensitivities to the presaccadic and postsaccadic stimulus patterns. Certain Off cells, for example, are sensitive to changes in the image across transitions, which contributes to differences between On and Off information channels and extends the range of encoded stimulus features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Krüppel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mohammad H Khani
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dimokratis Karamanlis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yunus C Erol
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sören J Zapp
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Mietsch
- Laboratory Animal Science Unit, German Primate Center, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dario A Protti
- School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fernando Rozenblit
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tim Gollisch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Santana NNM, Silva EHA, dos Santos SF, Costa MSMO, Nascimento Junior ES, Engelberth RCJG, Cavalcante JS. Retinorecipient areas in the common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus): An image-forming and non-image forming circuitry. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1088686. [PMID: 36817647 PMCID: PMC9932520 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1088686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian retina captures a multitude of diverse features from the external environment and conveys them via the optic nerve to a myriad of retinorecipient nuclei. Understanding how retinal signals act in distinct brain functions is one of the most central and established goals of neuroscience. Using the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a monkey from Northeastern Brazil, as an animal model for parsing how retinal innervation works in the brain, started decades ago due to their marmoset's small bodies, rapid reproduction rate, and brain features. In the course of that research, a large amount of new and sophisticated neuroanatomical techniques was developed and employed to explain retinal connectivity. As a consequence, image and non-image-forming regions, functions, and pathways, as well as retinal cell types were described. Image-forming circuits give rise directly to vision, while the non-image-forming territories support circadian physiological processes, although part of their functional significance is uncertain. Here, we reviewed the current state of knowledge concerning retinal circuitry in marmosets from neuroanatomical investigations. We have also highlighted the aspects of marmoset retinal circuitry that remain obscure, in addition, to identify what further research is needed to better understand the connections and functions of retinorecipient structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelyane Nayara M. Santana
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Eryck H. A. Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Sâmarah F. dos Santos
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Miriam S. M. O. Costa
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Morphology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Expedito S. Nascimento Junior
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Morphology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Rovena Clara J. G. Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jeferson S. Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil,*Correspondence: Jeferson S. Cavalcante,
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Italiano ML, Guo T, Lovell NH, Tsai D. Improving the spatial resolution of artificial vision using midget retinal ganglion cell populations modelled at the human fovea. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35609556 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac72c2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Retinal prostheses seek to create artificial vision by stimulating surviving retinal neurons of patients with profound vision impairment. Notwithstanding tremendous research efforts, the performance of all implants tested to date has remained rudimentary, incapable of overcoming the threshold for legal blindness. To maximize the perceptual efficacy of retinal prostheses, a device must be capable of controlling retinal neurons with greater spatiotemporal precision. Most studies of retinal stimulation were derived from either non-primate species or the peripheral primate retina. We investigated if artificial stimulation could leverage the high spatial resolution afforded by the neural substrates at the primate fovea and surrounding regions to achieve improved percept qualities. APPROACH We began by developing a new computational model capable of generating anatomically accurate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) populations within the human central retina. Next, multiple RGC populations across the central retina were stimulated in-silico to compare clinical and recently proposed neurostimulation configurations based on their ability to improve perceptual efficacy and reduce activation thresholds. MAIN RESULTS Our model uniquely upholds eccentricity-dependent characteristics such as RGC density and dendritic field diameter, whilst incorporating anatomically accurate features such as axon projection and three-dimensional RGC layering, features often forgone in favor of reduced computational complexity. Following epiretinal stimulation, the RGCs in our model produced response patterns in shapes akin to the complex percepts reported in clinical trials. Our results also demonstrated that even within the neuron-dense central retina, epiretinal stimulation using a multi-return hexapolar electrode arrangement could reliably achieve spatially focused RGC activation and could achieve single-cell excitation in 74% of all tested locations. SIGNIFICANCE This study establishes an anatomically accurate three-dimensional model of the human central retina and demonstrates the potential for an epiretinal hexapolar configuration to achieve consistent, spatially confined retinal responses, even within the neuron-dense foveal region. Our results promote the prospect and optimization of higher spatial resolution in future epiretinal implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lewis Italiano
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, AUSTRALIA
| | - Tianruo Guo
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, AUSTRALIA
| | - Nigel H Lovell
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, AUSTRALIA
| | - David Tsai
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, AUSTRALIA
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Kumar S, Benavente-Perez A, Ablordeppey R, Lin C, Viswanathan S, Akopian A, Bloomfield SA. A Robust Microbead Occlusion Model of Glaucoma for the Common Marmoset. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:14. [PMID: 35019964 PMCID: PMC8762714 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.1.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To establish a robust experimental model of glaucoma in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a New World primate, using an intracameral microbead injection technique. Methods Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) was induced by an injection of polystyrene microbeads. Morphologic changes in the retina and optic nerve of glaucomatous eyes were assessed and electroretinogram (ERG) recordings were performed to evaluate functional changes. Results Microbead injections induced a sustained IOP elevation for at least 10 weeks in a reproducible manner. At the end of the 10-week experimental period, there was significant loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in all quadrants and eccentricities, although it was more prominent in the mid-peripheral and peripheral regions. This was consistent with a thinning of the Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) seen in spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans. Surviving RGCs showed marked changes in morphology, including somatic shrinkage and dendritic atrophy. Retinas also showed significant gliosis. The amplitude of the ERG photopic negative response, with subsequent a- and b-wave changes, was reduced in glaucomatous eyes. The optic nerve of glaucomatous eyes showed expanded cupping, disorganization of the astrocytic matrix, axonal loss, and gliosis. Conclusions We developed a robust and reproducible model of glaucoma in the marmoset. The model exhibits both structural and functional alterations of retina and optic nerve characteristic of glaucoma in humans and animal models. Translational Relevance The glaucoma model in the marmoset described here forms a robust method to study the disease etiology, progression, and potential therapies in a nonhuman primate, allowing for more effective translation of animal data to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, State University of New York College of Optometry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexandra Benavente-Perez
- Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, State University of New York College of Optometry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Reynolds Ablordeppey
- Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, State University of New York College of Optometry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carol Lin
- Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, State University of New York College of Optometry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Suresh Viswanathan
- Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, State University of New York College of Optometry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Abram Akopian
- Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, State University of New York College of Optometry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stewart A Bloomfield
- Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, State University of New York College of Optometry, New York, NY, USA
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5
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Nasir-Ahmad S, Lee SCS, Martin PR, Grünert U. Identification of retinal ganglion cell types expressing the transcription factor Satb2 in three primate species. J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:2727-2749. [PMID: 33527361 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In primates, the retinal ganglion cells contributing to high acuity spatial vision (midget cells and parasol cells), and blue-yellow color vision (small bistratified cells) are well understood. Many other ganglion cell types with large dendritic fields (named wide-field ganglion cells) have been identified, but their spatial density and distribution are largely unknown. Here we took advantage of the recently established molecular diversity of ganglion cells to study wide-field ganglion cell populations in three primate species. We used antibodies against the transcription factor Special AT-rich binding protein 2 (Satb2) to explore its expression in macaque (Macaca fascicularis, M. nemestrina), human and marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) retinas. In all three species, Satb2 cells make up a low proportion (1.5-4%) of the ganglion cell population, with a slight increase from central to peripheral retina. Intracellular dye injections revealed that in macaque and human retinas, the large majority (over 80%) of Satb2 cells are inner and outer stratifying large sparse cells. By contrast, in marmoset retina the majority (over 60%) of Satb2 expressing cells were broad thorny cells, with smaller proportions of recursive bistratified (putative direction-selective), large bistratified, and outer stratifying narrow thorny cells. Our findings imply that Satb2 expression has undergone rapid species specific adaptations during primate evolution, because expression is not conserved across Old World (macaque, human) and New World (marmoset) suborders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subha Nasir-Ahmad
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Save Sight Institute and Discipline of Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sammy C S Lee
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Save Sight Institute and Discipline of Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul R Martin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Save Sight Institute and Discipline of Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ulrike Grünert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Save Sight Institute and Discipline of Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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6
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El-Danaf RN, Huberman AD. Sub-topographic maps for regionally enhanced analysis of visual space in the mouse retina. J Comp Neurol 2018; 527:259-269. [PMID: 29675855 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In many species, neurons are unevenly distributed across the retina, leading to nonuniform analysis of specific visual features at certain locations in visual space. In recent years, the mouse has emerged as a premiere model for probing visual system function, development, and disease. Thus, achieving a detailed understanding of mouse visual circuit architecture is of paramount importance. The general belief is that mice possess a relatively even topographic distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs)-the output neurons of the eye. However, mouse RGCs include ∼30 subtypes; each responds best to a specific feature in the visual scene and conveys that information to central targets. Given the crucial role of RGCs and the prominence of the mouse as a model, we asked how different RGC subtypes are distributed across the retina. We targeted and filled individual fluorescently tagged RGC subtypes from across the retinal surface and evaluated the dendritic arbor extent and soma size of each cell according to its specific retinotopic position. Three prominent RGC subtypes: On-Off direction selective RGCs, object-motion-sensitive RGCs, and a specialized subclass of nonimage-forming RGCs each had marked topographic variations in their dendritic arbor sizes. Moreover, the pattern of variation was distinct for each RGC subtype. Thus, there is increasing evidence that the mouse retina encodes visual space in a region-specific manner. As a consequence, some visual features are sampled far more densely at certain retinal locations than others. These findings have implications for central visual processing, perception, and behavior in this prominent model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana N El-Danaf
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Andrew D Huberman
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.,Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.,Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford, California.,BioX, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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7
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Sampaio GSA, Oliveira KRHM, Kauffmann N, do Nascimento JLM, Souza GS, Gomes BD, de Lima SMA, Silveira LCL, Rocha FAF, Herculano AM. Methylmercury alters the number and topography of NO-synthase positive neurons in embryonic retina: Protective effect of alpha-tocopherol. Toxicol In Vitro 2018; 53:89-98. [PMID: 30075186 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate retina has been shown to be an important target for mercury toxicity and very studies have shown the effect of mercury on the retinal ontogenesis. The nitrergic system plays an important role in the retinal development. The current work studied the effects of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure on the NO-synthase positive neurons (NADPH-diaphorase neurons or NADPH-d+) of the chick retinal ganglion cell layer at embryonic E15 and postnatal P1 days. Retinal flat mounts were stained for NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and mosaic properties of NADPH-d + were studied by plotting isodensity maps and employing density recovery profile technique. It was also evaluated the protective effect of alpha-tocopherol treatment on retinal tissues exposed to MeHg. MeHg exposure decreased the density of NADPH-d + neurons and altered cell mosaic properties at E15 but had very little or no effect at P1 retinas. Alpha-tocopherol has a protective effect against MeHg exposure at E15. MeHg alterations and alpha-tocopherol protective effect in embryonic retinas were demonstrated to be at work in experimental conditions. MeHg effect in the early phases of visual system development in natural conditions might use the nitrergic pathway and supplementary diet could have a protective effect. At later stages, this mechanism seems to be naturally protected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela S A Sampaio
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | | | - Nayara Kauffmann
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - José Luiz M do Nascimento
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil; Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Givago S Souza
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil; Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Bruno D Gomes
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Carlos L Silveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil; Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil; Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | | | - Anderson M Herculano
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
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8
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Masri RA, Percival KA, Koizumi A, Martin PR, Grünert U. Survey of retinal ganglion cell morphology in marmoset. J Comp Neurol 2017; 527:236-258. [PMID: 27997691 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In primate retina, the midget, parasol, and small bistratified cell populations form the large majority of ganglion cells. In addition, there is a variety of low-density wide-field ganglion cell types that are less well characterized. Here we studied retinal ganglion cells in the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, using particle-mediated gene transfer. Ganglion cells were transfected with an expression plasmid for the postsynaptic density 95-green fluorescent protein. The retinas were processed with established immunohistochemical markers for bipolar and/or amacrine cells to determine ganglion cell dendritic stratification. In total over 500 ganglion cells were classified based on their dendritic field size, morphology, and stratification in the inner plexiform layer. Over 17 types were distinguished, including midget, parasol, broad thorny, small bistratified, large bistratified, recursive bistratified, recursive monostratified, narrow thorny, smooth monostratified, large sparse, giant sparse (melanopsin) ganglion cells, and a group that may contain several as yet uncharacterized types. Assuming each characterized type forms a hexagonal mosaic, the midget and parasol cells account for over 80% of all ganglion cells in the central retina but only ∼50% of cells in the peripheral (>2 mm) retina. We conclude that the fovea is dominated by midget and parasol cells, but outside the fovea the ganglion cell diversity in marmoset is likely as great as that reported for nonprimate retinas. Taken together, the ganglion cell types in marmoset retina resemble those described previously in macaque retina with respect to morphology, stratification, and change in proportion across the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania A Masri
- Save Sight Institute and Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kumiko A Percival
- Save Sight Institute and Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amane Koizumi
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Paul R Martin
- Save Sight Institute and Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ulrike Grünert
- Save Sight Institute and Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Coimbra JP, Kaswera-Kyamakya C, Gilissen E, Manger PR, Collin SP. The Topographic Organization of Retinal Ganglion Cell Density and Spatial Resolving Power in an Unusual Arboreal and Slow-Moving Strepsirhine Primate, the Potto (Perodicticus potto). BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2016; 87:4-18. [DOI: 10.1159/000443015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The potto (Perodicticus potto) is an arboreal strepsirhine found in the rainforests of central Africa. In contrast to most primates, the potto shows slow-moving locomotion over the upper surface of branches, where it forages for exudates and crawling invertebrates with its head held very close to the substrate. Here, we asked whether the retina of the potto displays topographic specializations in neuronal density that correlate with its unusual lifestyle. Using stereology and retinal wholemounts, we measured the total number and topographic distribution of retinal ganglion cells (total and presumed parasol), as well as estimating the upper limits of the spatial resolution of the potto eye. We estimated ∼210,000 retinal ganglion cells, of which ∼7% (∼14,000) comprise presumed parasol ganglion cells. The topographic distribution of both total and parasol ganglion cells reveals a concentric centroperipheral organization with a nasoventral asymmetry. Combined with the upwardly shifted orbits of the potto, this nasoventral increase in parasol ganglion cell density enhances contrast sensitivity and motion detection skywards, which potentially assists with the detection of predators in the high canopy. The central area of the potto occurs ∼2.5 mm temporal to the optic disc and contains a maximum ganglion cell density of ∼4,300 cells/mm2. We found no anatomical evidence of a fovea within this region. Using maximum ganglion cell density and eye size (∼14 mm), we estimated upper limits of spatial resolving power between 4.1 and 4.4 cycles/degree. Despite their reported reliance on olfaction to detect exudates, this level of spatial resolution potentially assists pottos with foraging for small invertebrates and in the detection of predators.
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10
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Muniz JAPC, de Athaide LM, Gomes BD, Finlay BL, Silveira LCDL. Ganglion cell and displaced amacrine cell density distribution in the retina of the howler monkey (Alouatta caraya). PLoS One 2014; 9:e115291. [PMID: 25546077 PMCID: PMC4278902 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike all other New World (platyrrine) monkeys, both male and female howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) are obligatory trichromats. In all other platyrrines, only females can be trichromats, while males are always dichromats, as determined by multiple behavioral, electrophysiological, and genetic studies. In addition to obligatory trichromacy, Alouatta has an unusual fovea, with substantially higher peak cone density in the foveal pit than every other diurnal anthropoid monkey (both platyrrhines and catarrhines) and great ape yet examined, including humans. In addition to documenting the general organization of the retinal ganglion cell layer in Alouatta, the distribution of cones is compared to retinal ganglion cells, to explore possible relationships between their atypical trichromacy and foveal specialization. The number and distribution of retinal ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells were determined in six flat-mounted retinas from five Alouatta caraya. Ganglion cell density peaked at 0.5 mm between the fovea and optic nerve head, reaching 40,700-45,200 cells/mm2. Displaced amacrine cell density distribution peaked between 0.5-1.75 mm from the fovea, reaching mean values between 2,050-3,100 cells/mm2. The mean number of ganglion cells was 1,133,000±79,000 cells and the mean number of displaced amacrine cells was 537,000±61,800 cells, in retinas of mean area 641±62 mm2. Ganglion cell and displaced amacrine cell density distribution in the Alouatta retina was consistent with that observed among several species of diurnal Anthropoidea, both platyrrhines and catarrhines. The principal alteration in the Alouatta retina appears not to be in the number of any retinal cell class, but rather a marked gradient in cone density within the fovea, which could potentially support high chromatic acuity in a restricted central region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bruno Duarte Gomes
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Barbara L. Finlay
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Luiz Carlos de Lima Silveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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11
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Solomon SG, Rosa MGP. A simpler primate brain: the visual system of the marmoset monkey. Front Neural Circuits 2014; 8:96. [PMID: 25152716 PMCID: PMC4126041 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2014.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are diurnal primates with high visual acuity at the center of gaze. Although primates share many similarities in the organization of their visual centers with other mammals, and even other species of vertebrates, their visual pathways also show unique features, particularly with respect to the organization of the cerebral cortex. Therefore, in order to understand some aspects of human visual function, we need to study non-human primate brains. Which species is the most appropriate model? Macaque monkeys, the most widely used non-human primates, are not an optimal choice in many practical respects. For example, much of the macaque cerebral cortex is buried within sulci, and is therefore inaccessible to many imaging techniques, and the postnatal development and lifespan of macaques are prohibitively long for many studies of brain maturation, plasticity, and aging. In these and several other respects the marmoset, a small New World monkey, represents a more appropriate choice. Here we review the visual pathways of the marmoset, highlighting recent work that brings these advantages into focus, and identify where additional work needs to be done to link marmoset brain organization to that of macaques and humans. We will argue that the marmoset monkey provides a good subject for studies of a complex visual system, which will likely allow an important bridge linking experiments in animal models to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G Solomon
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London London, UK
| | - Marcello G P Rosa
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC Australia ; Monash Vision Group, Monash University, Clayton, VIC Australia ; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Monash University Node, Clayton, VIC Australia
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12
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Coimbra JP, Hart NS, Collin SP, Manger PR. Scene from above: Retinal ganglion cell topography and spatial resolving power in the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). J Comp Neurol 2013; 521:2042-57. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.23271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2012] [Revised: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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13
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Coimbra JP, Nolan PM, Collin SP, Hart NS. Retinal Ganglion Cell Topography and Spatial Resolving Power in Penguins. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2012; 80:254-68. [DOI: 10.1159/000341901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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14
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Suppression pathways saturate with contrast for parallel surrounds but not for superimposed cross-oriented masks. Vision Res 2009; 49:2927-35. [PMID: 19765604 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2009.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2009] [Revised: 09/09/2009] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Contrast masking from parallel grating surrounds (doughnuts) and superimposed orthogonal masks have different characteristics. However, it is not known whether the saturation of the underlying suppression that has been found for parallel doughnut masks depends on (i) relative mask and target orientation, (ii) stimulus eccentricity or (iii) surround suppression. We measured contrast-masking functions for target patches of grating in the fovea and in the periphery for cross-oriented superimposed and doughnut masks and parallel doughnut masks. When suppression was evident, the factor that determined whether it accelerated or saturated was whether the mask stimulus was crossed or parallel. There are at least two interpretations of the asymptotic behaviour of the parallel surround mask. (1) Suppression arises from pathways that saturate with (mask) contrast. (2) The target is processed by a mechanism that is subject to surround suppression at low target contrasts, but a less sensitive mechanism that is immune from surround suppression 'breaks through' at higher target contrasts. If the mask can be made less potent, then masking functions should shift downwards, and sideways for the two accounts, respectively. We manipulated the potency of the mask by varying the size of the hole in a parallel doughnut mask. The results provided strong evidence for the first account but not the second. On the view that response compression becomes more severe progressing up the visual pathway, our results suggest that superimposed cross-orientation suppression precedes orientation tuned surround suppression. These results also reveal a previously unrecognized similarity between surround suppression and crowding (Pelli, Palomares, & Majaj, 2004).
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15
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Jarvis JR, Wathes CM. A mechanistic inter-species comparison of spatial contrast sensitivity. Vision Res 2008; 48:2284-92. [PMID: 18675842 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2008.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2007] [Revised: 07/01/2008] [Accepted: 07/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The validity of the Rovamo-Barten modulation transfer function model for describing spatial contrast sensitivity in vertebrates was examined using published data for the human, macaque, cat, goldfish, pigeon and rat. Under photopic conditions, the model adequately described overall contrast sensitivity for changes in both stimulus luminance and stimulus size for each member of this diverse range of species. From this examination, optical, retinal and post-retinal neural processes subserving contrast sensitivity were quantified. An important retinal process is lateral inhibition and values of its associated point spread function (PSF) were obtained for each species. Some auxiliary contrast sensitivity data obtained from the owl monkey were included for these calculations. Modeled values of the lateral inhibition PSF were found to correlate well with ganglion cell receptive field surround size measurements obtained directly from electrophysiology. The range of vertebrates studied was then further extended to include the squirrel monkey, tree shrew, rabbit, chicken and eagle. To a first approximation, modeled estimates of lateral inhibition PSF width were found to be inversely proportional to the square root of ganglion cell density. This finding is consistent with a receptive field surround diameter that changes in direct proportion to the distance between ganglion cells for central vision. For the main species examined, contrast sensitivity is considerably less than that for the human. Although this is due in part to a reduction in the performance of both optical and retinal mechanisms, the model indicates that poor cortical detection efficiency plays a significant role.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Jarvis
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
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Pushchin II, Podugolnikova TA, Kondrashev SL. Morphology and spatial arrangement of large retinal ganglion cells projecting to the optic tectum in the perciform fish Pholidapus dybowskii. Vision Res 2007; 47:3212-27. [PMID: 17888480 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2007.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2007] [Revised: 06/29/2007] [Accepted: 07/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Using retrograde HRP labeling from the optic nerve (ON) or optic tectum (OT), we have visualized large ganglion cells (LGCs) in wholemounted retinas of the teleost Pholidapus dybowskii and studied their morphology and spatial properties. In all, three LGC types were distinguished. In a previous paper, detailed data were provided on one type, biplexiform cells [Pushchin, I. I., & Kondrashev, S. L. (2003). Biplexiform ganglion cells in the retina of the perciform fish Pholidapus dybowskii revealed by HRP labeling from the optic nerve and optic tectum. Vision Research, 43, 1117-1133]. Here, we present data on the other two confirmed types, alpha(a) and alpha(ab) cells. The types differed in the level of dendrite stratification, dendrite arborization pattern, dendritic field size, and other features, and formed in the retina significantly non-random, spatially independent mosaics. Both types were labeled from the OT, indicating their participation in OT-mediated visual reactions. The comparison of spatial properties of alpha(a) and alpha(ab) mosaics labeled from the ON and OT suggests that the OT is the major or one of the major projection areas of both types. We also describe the morphology of cells resembling alpha(c) cells of other fishes, which were only labeled from the ON. The LGC types presently revealed were similar in their morphology to LGCs found in other teleosts supporting the hypothesis of LGC homology across the teleost lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- I I Pushchin
- Laboratory of Physiology, Institute of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 17 Palchevskogo str., Vladivostok, Russia.
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Kozyrev V, Silveira LCL, Kremers J. Linking lateral interactions in flicker perception to lateral geniculate nucleus cell responses. J Physiol 2007; 581:1083-100. [PMID: 17412770 PMCID: PMC2170833 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.129486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The perception of flicker strength in a circular stimulus can be changed by altering the relative temporal phase of a simultaneously flickering surrounding annulus: perceived flicker is weak when the two stimuli are modulated in-phase and strong when the two are modulated in counter-phase. Previously, we found that responses of single neurons in the monkey lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) to such stimuli resemble the psychophysical data. On the basis of the resemblance in data, it was proposed that the physiological basis for the flicker perception may be present as proximal as the LGN. To strengthen this hypothesis, we simulated the response of an array of LGN neurons, the receptive fields (RFs) of which are covered by the stimulus. The simulations were based upon single-cell recordings in the LGN of anaesthetized marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) using the same stimuli as previously. The measurements were repeated for different spatial displacement between the stimulus and the RF. The responses depended upon the spatial displacement and the relative phase between centre and surround stimuli. The neuronal responses can be adequately described by a difference-of-Gaussians (DOG) model with a time delay in the RF surround. The model responses at different displacements can be considered to be identical to the output of an array of ideal and identical LGN cells with different RF locations. To be able to describe physiological and psychophysical data, obtained at different stimulus contrasts, it was necessary to consider previously described non-linear interactions between the RF centres and surrounds. We applied a spatial peak-to-trough detector with a subsequent saturation and threshold to simulate a simple cortical decision mechanism. The output of this peak-to-trough detector could adequately describe the psychophysical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav Kozyrev
- Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen Eye Hospital, Germany
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